Chapter 8
EIGHT
ISAAK
“So what are we doing here again?” I ask as I park the truck in Carnal ’s lot. It’s been a couple days since we made the police report, just following Kira around during her normal life. The police said they’d investigate but when she called today to see if they’d found anything, they said they’d follow up with her, but so far hadn’t found any prints at the scene.
“Research,” Kira snaps primly.
I smirk. “Mm hmm.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Her bright eyes flash my way. I can’t deny, needling her is a perk of the job.
“I’m writing my dissertation on the positive psychological effects of being part of the kink community.”
“Look, lady,” I say as I pop my car door open. “I work here in another life, remember? You don’t have to justify your voyeurism kink to me.” I climb out right as I hear her high-pitched squeak of indignation and grin to myself.
“I’m doing important work,” she says as she hops down from my truck and then heaves all her weight against my big truck door to make it slam. “Some communities will come places like this instead of ever darkening a therapist’s door. Looking at non-traditional means of relieving stress is vital. We can learn from each other.”
I cough out a laugh. Little red shocks the hell out of me sometimes, and to my surprise, I’m starting to like having her around. “Really? You’re into non-traditional stress relief?” I arch an eyebrow at her.
She immediately looks away, cheeks coloring in a way that intrigues me, but shouldn’t.
Whoa, there, buddy . I start heading towards the club to distract myself and calm down my suddenly stiffening dick before it can really get any ideas. Usually I’m in control of the little bastard. I mean, I work at a goddamn sex club. But frankly, that just means I’ve become desensitized. I mean, at least as far as watching people fuck. Porn doesn’t do shit for me, either. Usually I’ve got to have my hands on a woman for my little head to start to give a shit about anything.
Or apparently get some fiery back-talk by a red-head discussing non-traditional stress relief.
But that’s a clear and definitive no go zone.
She’s just a job.
Sure, she’d probably be a great fuck, and god knows her body is outstanding—I felt it against me all last night. But I’m a strictly one-night stand kinda guy. In addition to the fact that I can’t fuck up this job, having a one-night stand wouldn’t exactly work with Kira since I’ve got to literally wake up next to her the next morning and stay stuck on her ass for however long it takes to find her stalker.
Absolute hard pass.
I try not to find the fact that I’m having to explicitly remind myself of this more and more lately alarming. Especially since I’m only three days into this mission.
She pushes in the front door of Carnal like she belongs there and smiles and waves at Kit as she tugs off her cardigan. I note she does not hand it off to anyone, even though Kit reaches for it. “Can I take that for you, Miss?”
Her cheeks flush prettily again, or maybe it’s just the warmth after the cool breeze outside that has her cheeks coloring such a pretty pink. “No thank you. I’ll just keep it with me at my chair. I’m just observing tonight.”
Kit smiles, then looks over at me and gives a s’up nod.
I roll my eyes and follow Kira down the hallway into the club. I know from experience that bouncers here can get all the ass they want. Little fucker better keep it in his pants when it comes to Kira.
Though, I suppose, she said her and that dumb fiancé of hers are in an open relationship. So maybe she’s hoping to hook up sometime here before they tie the knot. I’m only half-buying that research bullshit.
When we round the hallway and get into the club proper, I see the usual crowd. Jinx is crawling on the floor naked with nothing but a collar, a puppy mask, and butt-plugged tail. Their leash is held by their sub, Gemini.
Gemini’s chatting with Quinn by the bar, who also has a collared puppied-out sub at her feet. Her sub is busy licking her boots. His cock is in a chastity device and his ass is already red with her marks. He wiggles his butt to make his puppy tail wag.
Quinn waves Kira over. I can tell Kira was just about to take a seat to observe quietly, but she puts her shoulders back bravely and walks over to the bar. I follow but keep my distance to give them space. It doesn’t mean I’m not close enough to still listen in.
“Good to see you, darling,” Quinn says, giving her a hug.
I gotta give it to Kira, she doesn’t look uncomfortable at all hugging Quinn, even though Quinn’s all geared out in a PVC corset that’s squishing her tits up to her collarbone, with a riding crop in hand.
“You, too! How’ve you been?”
Quinn sighs as they pull apart. “Same old, same old. Afternoons at the office, nights here.”
The sub at her feet whines and looks up at her.
“Down, dog!” Quinn barks and smacks his ass with the crop. She rolls her eyes as the sub shudders in delight.
“You work so much,” Kira says, eyebrows scrunched. “When do you take time to just take care of you?”
“Doggy serves mistress,” the sub at her feet speaks up.
“Bad dog,” Quinn says, and spanks him again with the crop, harder this time.
She looks between Gemini and Kira. “This one’s a brat.”
Gemini nods sagely as if well acquainted with the type. He’s young, a trans masc dude who’s been with Jinx for almost as long as I’ve worked here. Neither of them are too talkative, but they come to play, and play hard.
“I’ll take care of myself when I retire at thirty-five,” Quinn says. “Now is the time to work.”
Kira’s eyes pop wide. “But you’re my age. That’s forever away. You’ve gotta do some self-care now, babe.”
“She’s younger than you,” Gemini says, looking at Quinn. “Right? Aren’t you like, twenty or some shit?”
“Seriously?” Kira asks.
“I’m twenty- one ,” Quinn says, as if that makes any difference.
Jesus, they’re all such babies. I had just fucked off to the army at their age, playing at being soldier with no clue about what I wanted to do with my life. Not that I’ve got much more of one now. I mean I’m starting to, but Christ. Quinn’s planning to retire by my age?
“You’re one to talk about all work and no play,” Quinn says to Kira. “Are you finally going to play tonight? Don’t even try to pull that shit that you aren’t interested. I see it in your eyes that you are.”
I lean forwards without meaning to as Quinn goes on.
“And I know a dom who’s got a gentle touch. You could try a turn at the spanking bench.” Quinn looks across the floor and waves over a guy in a mask—someone I’ve never seen before. I frown.
“She’s just here to watch,” I blurt before Kira can open her mouth.
Kira’s head snaps my way and she glares at me before she looks back to Quinn. “It can’t hurt to talk to him.”
Quinn grins and I want to give her a turn on the spanking bench for making such a suggestion. Doesn’t she know Kira’s in danger and now is not the time to be making friends with masked strangers?
I tug Kira away by her arm before the dom is halfway across the room. “He’s wearing a mask. For all we know, he could be your stalker.”
Kira tugs her arm out of my hold, glaring up at me furiously. “You’re my bodyguard, not my mother. Back off.”
I huff out, furious with myself. There are rules here. I shouldn’t have even touched her without her consent. It’s strictly hands-off here.
Kira turns back to Quinn, whispering now. I have good hearing, though, and I listen in to her asking Quinn how well she knows the dom.
“Don’t worry,” Quinn says with a little smile. “He’s someone you can trust. Believe me.”
I frown.
She’s just a job. It’s fine if she wants to engage in a little consensual spanking with some dude.
The dom stands tall and quiet once he reaches us, inclining his head towards Quinn. Then he blinks inquisitive grey eyes towards Kira.
Who the fuck is this guy and how does Quinn know him?
“Saint, this is Kira. She’s new to the club.”
“I told you not to call me that,” he says with a deep voice and musical British accent. Is it his real voice or is he just putting it on in some kind of dom ploy? “I go by Bane.”
I try not to roll my eyes. Jesus. Could this guy be any more of a poser?
“Do you want to play?” he asks Kira. “If it’s your first time, we can go quite slowly.”
“I— I—” Kira babbles, eyes wide, chest suddenly heaving. “I don’t know.”
Bane nods and I want to jump in between the two of them and shove the fucker away. Fuck no she does not want to play tonight. I swear, if this bastard tries to pressure her into play before she’s ready, I’ll?—
“That’s all right, child,” he says. “You shouldn’t play before you’re completely sure. The game is about freedom and consent, and you want to be able to give yourself to it fully. Whenever you do want to play, remember a safeword can stop it at any time. You’re always safe when you’re with a dom you trust.”
Then he turns back to Quinn and nods his head again, “Mistress,” before turning to leave.
“Now that’s a class act,” Quinn says, admiration clear in her voice.
“Who is he?” Kira asks. By the way she’s looking after the man, a little bit of longing in her voice, I can tell she’s rethinking her decision.
“He’ll be here all night,” Quinn says, obviously seeing the same thing. “If you change your mind.”
But then I smile when I watch Moira clock the new dom and make a beeline for him. “I don’t know. He might have his hands full tonight.”